Felicity's Riding Habit

I'm all excited! When I got home from work this afternoon I had a parcel waiting for me from Maria with Felicity's riding habit, and one of the Kirsten's St. Lucia dresses. Thank you again Maria all your help. The dress is an early birthday present to myself!

Felicity looks so gorgeous in the dress, actually imperial, she could have well participated in one of the imperial hunts at Laxenburg palace (this was the hunting palace and grounds of the Imperial family and it's only 4 miles from where I live).

The night Maria mailed the box, I had a funny dream, I'd like to share with you:

I was at my sisters house, it was more like late spring (but then the current weather feels like spring anyways), when the parcel arrived. Actually two, one the size of a doll box, the other smaller, but they both came from Maria. I opened the bigger one and it was full of doll heads, one was a paper mache doll head and one or two doll toddler bodies, the kind you find on antique dolls - and then there was an old banana peel in the box too, you know when they aren't really yellow anymore, but with brown stains. Then I opened the smaller box, it had the two dresses wrapped in tissue paper like a present, and also an old banana peel. I was just about to unwrap the dresses, when I woke up.


In my dream I could really feel the excitement of receiving the boxes and opening them, and Maria, thanks for not including the banana peel in the real parcel [img]wink.gif[/img]

Miki,
I just have to ask. Are you an "American Girl" living in Europe or are you a "European Girl" just loving AG dolls?

I often wonder why other countries don't get on the bandwagon and offer their own line of historical dolls.

I like that outfit. I wished they had not retired it. I won't buy it because it is too expensive now. I was wondering if they might bring it back next year for the Felicity movie. Enjoy it. It is really pretty.

Miki,

That new outfit looks gorgeous on your Felicity. I wish they hadn't retired it either. I have seen it for a very expensive price in ebay.

I was also wondering if you are from the US and living in Europe or if you are European.

Lynet

Oh darn, I forgot the banana peel! [img]smile.gif[/img]

I'm amazed and impressed with how fast it got to you, Brigitte! I'm glad your Felicity is happy -- she certainly looks lovely.

I was going to ask you the same question about your English since your writing skills are better than most native speakers. Hats off to you for working so hard!

About Lissie's things. When I ordered to Travel Gown last week the CS rep told me that many new Felicity things were on there way for the movie next fall. I tried to get some hints -but she said to keep watching.

PS That outfit looks awesome on Lissie. I know our Lissie is eagerly awaiting her movie debut in hopes retired outfits will make a comeback.

Good for Felicity!! Getting that outfit is so hard on ebay!!! [img]tongue.gif[/img]

Miki...I have three bananas on my counter that are over ripe, and waiting to be made into banana bread. When I make the bread, I will pm you for your address, and send a couple of the peelings, okay? [img]wink.gif[/img] That dream is hilarious. I have really weird dreams all of the time. My family still laughs about the time I had a dream that my son was a pan of lasagna.

Anyway! Congrats on the outfit! I love it so much. I always meant to buy it for my daughter when she was little, but just never did. I made most of her doll clothes, and she had piles of them, so it seemed like a waste at the time. Now I could just kick myself for not buying one back then!

And Kym! Shame on you for withholding such information! LOL!!! Just kidding....it's great news, though!!!

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About Lissie's things. When I ordered to Travel Gown last week the CS rep told me that many new Felicity things were on there way for the movie next fall. I tried to get some hints -but she said to keep watching.

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Great news Kym!!

Congats Miki on getting Felicity beautiful riding habit. She looks lovely in it!
NIa

congrats! now Felicity is all outfitted to go riding as a boy or a girl! I have that outfit too but Felicity doesn't wear it much-no horse to ride!

Congrats! This is my favorite Felicity outfit, especially since it is green and looks so beautiful on her. It looks just like antique reproduction and vintage sidesaddle riding habits I've seen. I only wish it had come with a little whip and that they offered a colonial sidesaddle for Penny, and then all would be completely historically accurate.

AGme, I'm an Austrian girl living in Austria, who's stumbled over AG and fallen in love with the dolls.

I don't know why we don't have historicals here. I think they prefer so-called artist dolls here in Europe. One of the producers is G?tz, who has quite an extensive line of various doll artists like Hildegard G?nzel or Annette Himsted. Their dolls are very romantic but just decorative items.

Apart from doll artists - mostly for porcelain dolls - we don't have any doll manufacturies here in Austria. You have Zapf and G?tz in Germany, and Corolle in France. I don't know why G?tz didn't start a historical collection in Europe, maybe it had to do with contract arrangements with PC?

I forgot Schildkr?t and K?the Kruse in Germany and Lenci in Italy, but they've specialized in re-producing their old dolls, and those are rather collector's items and not play-dolls like AG, where it's the opposite, play-dolls becoming collector's items.

I wouldn't be totally suprised if Mattel tried to create a similar line of AG like products in Europe... where companies see success, it's only logical that they'd think about expanding it. I always think of real European dolls as being of greater quality, like Gotz and such... I'd bet an AG counterpart would be really nice and quite pretty.

Congrats on your new things, Miki!! Felicity's riding habit is my favorite too... that color just looks perfect with her red hair!

That is a wonderful, funny story, Miki! And I'm delighted that you received Felicity's Riding Habit. Felicity was my second doll, and for years the only outfit I had for her was this one, I think it is my favorite!!!

Your English is impeccable, too. I know you must have studied it since you were little, but did you live in England or in the US for a while? It's just perfect, maybe that is why some people don't know if you're European or United States-ean [img]wink.gif[/img]

Thank you everybody! I know it's a shame AG retired the outfit, the green is so suitable for her looks.

Adri, apart from my years of English at school - here in Austria it's mandatory to learn at least one foreign language at school - I spent one year in London working as an aupair and attending language classes right after school. Then nine years later I spent another year working as a nanny in London, but didn't take classes then.

I work in an international company here in Austria, and our internal language is English, which is used daily, as most of our staff are from non-German-speaking countries. I've always wanted to find a job, where I can use my English language skills, and I'm so lucky I found it.

How interesting. I think that's so cool that you're a European into the AG dolls.

Your English is fantastic! My husband was born and raised in Finland until he was 19. His spoken English is great but his written English is terrible!!

Congratulations on the new outfits!

Miki - My DH and i went to Austria BK (before kids)! it was like a dream...stayed in Innsbruck and took the train to Salzburg - what a beautiful place - like being in a postcard...and took the overnight train from Innsbruck to Venice. One of the most beautiful places I've ever been.

We are both loved the architecture in Austria, the age & history of things is amazing to us as Americans - we live in New England where the oldest thing we have dates back to 1620 (the Pilgrims!).

my 8yr old's favorite movie is Sound of Music, she can practically recite it - when she heard that we WENT to where it took place, she flipped! Salzburg was truely beautiful. We'd love to go back when they are a bit older.

We've been to Portugal too - have ever been there? Went there on our honeymoon - a long time ago! We haven't travelled much since having kids - mostly going to Maine in the summers, would love to go to Europe again.

You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful place...!

kara

ps: i think from reading your previous posts that you are planning a trip to New England, let me know if you need any advice!

A trip to New England? Definitely let us know if you are since I am in Massachusetts. I live minutes from the Old North Bridge where the Revolution started and also minutes from Orchard House where Louisa May Alcott wrote Little Women. It's true, our history is all so relatively recent, but it's fun to have the Felicity connection.

Green is my favorite color and that outfit is awesome. It's a good thing we don't have Felicity because I'd have to have it. Glad you got a good price.

PS - Give us an update on Kirsten and your niece.

Kara, glad you enjoyed your trip to Innsbruck and Salzburg. I've never been to Innsbruck, although I've been skiing in St. Anton in Tyrol, and I've been to Salzburg on several occassions. One trip that I remember dearly, was with my aunt, who passed away 2 years ago, when I was 9 or 10. It was over a long weekend when we had our national holiday (26 october). We went by train, and she took me to Hellbrunn gardens and zoo, the Hohe Feste (castle), Mozart's birth house and she bought me some embroidery kit and taught me to make a "Goblin". I also remember that while in the castle, the frame of my glasses broke in two. Also I had to learn the Austrian and the Lower Austrian anthems over that weekend by heart - because I had been naughty and hadn't learned it when I was supposed to.

I've also been to Portugal together with one of my English friends, we spend a week in a small town near Albufeira. We had a nice relaxing week there.

Yes, my friend and I are planning a trip to New England this coming autumn. Indian Summer in New England has always been my dream. We were actually talking about the trip this afternoon and what we'd like to see. We're not quite sure if we'll manage to fit everything in, but so far we think of flying to Boston first, spending a couple of days there, visit Cape Cod, also Salem, Plymouth, then some places related to the Revolutionary wars, driving up north maybe even managing Prince Edward's Islands - my friend is a huge fan of Anne of Green Gables - I confess I've never read the book but plan to do so before the vacation. I had thought of somehow drive or fly to either Montreal or Toronto, get a view of the Niagra Falls and then end the trip in Chicago with a visit to AGP before flying home.

Phew, and now I have to fit that into a 3 weeks schedule.

And before I forget, I wouldn't mind meeting up with some of you if you have time - for a nice chat and coffee - and as I mentioned before, any tips are appreciated.

miki - i PM'd you - would love to meet up, that would be fun! you can drive from Boston to Montreal, i think it's about 8 hrs, not exactly sure though - takes you thru a very pretty part of NE too. Boston is loaded with revolutionary war places...!
let me know if you have any questions about this area.
kara

I love that outfit! I'm soooo thankful my mom gave it to me on my birthday when I was 12 or I probably won't have it today.

I'm so excited about the new stuff for Lissie! At last, at last! When this happens, we should all bombard American Girl with thank you notes after so many years of us begging for Lissie's return so they know it's truly appreciated. [img]smile.gif[/img]

If you come to Cape Cod/Boston look me up! We have a house on the Cape. You should come to Newport, RI where the Victorian mansions are. I guess they're not as impressive as palaces but they are the closest thing we've got! You will love PEI! It's beautiful and if you like Felicity's stories you'll love Anne Shirley. I think they'd get along well!

Likewise, look me up! Your trip sounds like wonderful fun.

How far are you from Garmisch? I may be there in Feb.


Brooke

no, sorry - no palaces here. but plymouth has some beautiful old new england farmhouses, tudors, colonials and Capes. however, our house was built in the 1960s and is more like what is referred to as a "california contemporary". it's all brick and glass - very NON traditional new england! we appreciate traditional NE architecture, and love old houses (my other choice would to live in a 1930 bungalow), but our first love is modern architecture, so our house is perfect for us. whenever we give directions to anyone we always say "it's the only modern house on the street". if you think a house looks different, that's our house!

looks like we're heading towards having a little get together with a few other NE folks, that would be fun!

kara

My dad told me that I should start a line of New Zealand dolls when I'm older! I think I'd much prefer AGs though...

Miki-
If you come to New England, I'd love to meet up with you! I'm in Plymouth, and I think some other board members aren't too far, either.

I would love to visit Austria, but I don't think that will be happening until my children are all grown up... [img]frown.gif[/img]

New England is beautiful in Autumn. Most of us who live here tend to take it for granted!!

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Originally posted by Brooke in Belgium*:
How far are you from Garmisch? I may be there in Feb.

Brooke

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<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">I'm near Vienna, Garmisch is about 5 1/2 hours drive.

Kara, I know you don't have palaces, we've got quite a few and you get used to them. I really do love the NE houses with the porches and sash windows. They look so romantic and inviting.

I'll keep you all posted on my NE trip plans and look forward to meeting you.

And before I forget, update on Kamilla and Kirsten: She loves her a lot and has told me already which dresses she would like next. Today she even found new use for the school dress shawl, she used it as a kerchief. My niece has a play area underneath her bed, which is called her cozy corner, sort like a den, this is where she loves to snuggle up and read, and she also keeps Kirsten's bed and trunk there now.